Planning Ahead for Long Term Care

We encourage tours of our facility; you may schedule one by contacting us at (603) 527-4400 or by e-mail at admissions@nhvh.nh.gov. The Admissions office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and after hours upon request. You can send us a fax at: (603) 266-1266.

Planning ahead for long term care - understanding your options and creating a strategy - is very important, especially before the need for care becomes critical.

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At the New Hampshire Veterans Home, we advise veterans and their families to start the planning process early. Our Admissions staff can help, and there are other resources like ServiceLink Resource Centers, Geriatric Care Managers, Eldercare Attorneys, and Certified Financial Planners who have experience in this field. Veterans also may be eligible for certain benefits that can help defray the cost of long term care. The New Hampshire Office of Veterans' Services (located in Manchester: (603) 624-9230) assists veterans who are residents of New Hampshire or their dependents in securing all benefits they're entitled to under any state or federal law or regulation.

Planning Ahead for Long-Term Care Expenses

Long-term care can be very expensive. The costs can get even higher when a person has a serious illness like dementia. Individuals and their families typically pay for services such as respite care, home health and nursing home care out of their own pocket. Nursing home care can reach $100,000 a year. However, if you are a veteran with a service-connected disability of 70% or more, you may be eligible for care without cost. Be sure to contact the VA or the New Hampshire Office of Veterans' Services to help you with details.

Reducing the financial stress of paying for long-term care requires advance planning. The checklist below will help you anticipate the costs of long-term care and plan how to pay for them.

Estimate the Costs of Care

In planning for long-term care, consider all the costs you might face now and in the future. The type and level of care a person needs can change over time. Costs may include:

• Ongoing medical treatment
• Treatment for other medical conditions
• Prescription drugs
• Personal care supplies
• Adult day services
• In-home care services
• Residential care services, including assisted living and nursing homes

Gather Financial and Legal Documents

The following items should be available for easy access by self, spouse or children to complete applications for any health care facility in the state of New Hampshire, including the New Hampshire Veterans Home:

• For veterans: Proof of military service to include type of discharge, date of entry, and date of discharge
• Copy of health care insurance cards as Medicare and supplemental health care insurance
• Copy of Advance Directives, Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, Living Will, and Financial Powers of Attorney
• Last Will and Testament
• Revocable/Irrevocable Trusts copies
• Marriage certificate or divorce decree or death certificate of spouse.
• Records of banking and investments to include statements for savings and checking accounts, CDs, IRAs, stocks, and bonds, and copies of long-term care insurance policies. These items are used to determine your assets. The New Hampshire Veterans Home requires a one-year look back at assets, and the State of New Hampshire requires a five-year look back, including income tax files.
• Copies of all monthly income checks if funds are not directly deposited.
• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of current medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and specialists you see on a regular basis
• Deeds, mortgage papers, or ownership statements to any property
• Pension and other retirement benefit summaries
• Social Security payment information
• Monthly or outstanding bills

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Reviewing these documents will help you get a clear picture of existing expenses, assets and income, and help you identify any additional documents required. Planning for this important part of life can help make sure your wishes are honored and will lessen the burden on your family. The New Hampshire Veterans Home Admissions staff encourages you to call (603) 527-4400 and plan ahead. We're here to help.

For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions section.